Humanity has tried to recreate itself through human-shaped machinery since the 16th-century. The Science Museum of London has opened a blockbuster exhibition named Robots that immerses in the 500-year history of humanoid robots. PAL Robotics’ first robots will take part on the exhibition, along with an interactive humanoid REEM robot that will greet people at the exhibition.
- Robots, the new blockbuster exhibition at the Science Museum of London, immerses in the 500 years of the humanity quest to humanize machines.
- Exhibition attendees will be able to meet PAL Robotics’ REEM humanoid robot, who will greet and interact with them
- The historic first humanoid robots of the Spanish company, REEM-A (2004), REEM-B (2007) and REEM-H (2009), will also be part on this journey to the historical evolution of robotics systems.
The Science Museum has gathered a unique collection of 100 robots that show the evolution of humanoid robots along time and the influence of the social and technological context on their concept. This fascinating trip goes back in time since the beginning of articulated mechanical manikins dated from the 1500s, to science fiction concepts and today’s major engineering works.
“‘This exhibition explores the uniquely human obsession of recreating ourselves, not through paint or marble but in metal. Seeing robots through the eyes of those who built or gazed in awe at them reveals much about humanity’s hopes, fears and dreams,” states the Director of the Science Museum Group, Ian Blatchford.
Today humanoid robotics has become the most challenging field in robotics. Companies like the Spanish PAL Robotics believe that humanoids have a great potential to shape a better future for humanity. Robots can go beyond human biological capabilities and take part in tasks that can be harmful for people, such as those which are physically-demanding, require repetitive movements or uncomfortable positions for a long time.
REEM-A (2004) is the first human-sized biped robot in Europe and PAL Robotics’ first step towards the development of a family of humanoid robots that have become a cornerstone in the field’s progress. The historic robot is at the Science Museum together with his younger brother REEM-B (2007), which gave worldwide recognition to PAL Robotics team due to its advanced skills. REEM-B could walk dynamically, navigate autonomously in a room or carry up to 30Kg using both arms. Those were, and still are, outstanding abilities for a robot.
After the two first prototypes, PAL Robotics started to work on a robot that could provide services to people’s daily life. After testing the prototype REEM-H1, which is also part of the exhibition, the team developed the 1.70m tall REEM (2012). It has hosted more than 100 events interacting with people, becoming a dynamic information point, guiding and entertaining. REEM will be on display at the Science Museum to interact with attendees and make more exciting the Robots exhibition experience.
The following humanoid developments from PAL Robotics are an important leap for humanoid robotics. The 1.60m tall REEM-C (2013) and the 1.75m tall TALOS (2016) embody the next generation of service and industrial robots respectively, with improved software, hardware components and architecture. Leading research teams are currently working on them to prepare robots to become an integral part in our daily life.
About PAL Robotics
PAL Robotics is a worldwide leading company in humanoid robots based in Barcelona. The team is composed of about 35 people from different nationalities and fields that design, craft and customize humanoid and service robots. With over 13 years in the most challenging field in robotics, they have gathered a broad experience in human-sized and service robots that is improving constantly.
